Public Defender

Here's info on PA public defenders: http://www.chesco.org/pubdef.html
http://www.the3rdjudicialdistrict.com/admord_00_1am.htm
http://www.law.com/special/professionals/amlaw/2003/defense_systems.shtml

It appears (though I suggest you contact the PD in order to confirm this) that the PD is a regular job as hired by the state or county, whereas a court-appointed lawyer is contracted for one particular case. But it's hard to tell as many resources use the 2 terms interchangeably.

Call the local bar association and ask. They won't charge you for a quickie question like this. Or, if you don't want to contact them, call the local Law School - Penn, Widener, Pitt, Villanova, one of those will work.